How to make a paper towel holder for your kitchen counter using a wooden spoon and fork.
I saw this Cucina Paper Towel Holder in the Pottery Barn catalog recently and immediately thought of my daughter – she is into kitchen stuff, loves to cook, and into green living– note the un-bleached paper towel roll.
I wanted to get one for her as a little surprise, but with tax, shipping, and handling it would cost over $50. So instead of buying one, I did a Pottery Barn Knock-Off of it using old wooden utensils I had.
The Pottery Barn paper towel holder is on the left. I didn’t have a fork as decorative or long enough for the center of the holder, so I switched the utensils around to make my Pottery Barn knock off version on the right.
This was very easy to make. I had everything needed on hand, except the wood base that I bought for a few dollars at the craft store.
I decided to paint it to look like the Pottery Barn version, but you could paint it any color. I think it would look divine painted with chalk paint, distressed, and aged. As with any DIY – lots of possibilities.
supplies needed:
- Wooden spoon and fork with round dowel-like handles
- 7” round wooden base – craft store
- Wood glue
- Drill and drill bit the diameter of the wooden spoon or fork handle
- Spray paint
- Optional: If your wood utensils are not as high as the paper towel roll you use, you will need to add a section of a 1- 1/4” diameter wood dowel to create more height for the center utensil. I had the dowel in my scrap wood pile, but a wooden thimble would work well, too.
These instructions are for short handled utensils. If the utensils you plan to use are longer than the paper towel roll, then skip cutting a dowel and just drill two holes on the top of the wood base (center and near the rim) a little smaller than the utensils’ handles.
1. Decide which utensil will be in the center. The spoon I had was much longer than the fork, so I used that for the center. It still wasn’t as high as the paper towel roll, so I had to cut a 2-inch section from a wide dowel. Drill a hole in the center on one end of the dowel about an inch down into it.
2. Find center in round base and mark with an “X”. Place end of dowel over “X” and trace around dowel . Pre-drill two holes for wood screws. Flip over to underside and screw in the screws through the base and into the centered dowel.
3. Place roll of paper towels over dowel. Mark placement for utensil that will hold the sheets of paper towel back. Drill hole into base. Use wood glue to secure front utensil to the base.
Let dry. (Before gluing, if needed, cut the height from the front utensil to resemble the Pottery Barn holder).
Do not glue center utensil into center hole, this needs to be removable so you can change the paper towel roll when needed.
4. Paint. I used one coat of Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint and one coat of Hammered Bronze.
5. Let dry.
6. Place roll of paper towels on base and then place wooden spoon into hole on the top of the paper towel roll. Push the end of the spoon into the base.
Sharon H says
OMG! How CUTE is that, and yours is so much better than Pottery Barn’s version. I really like the distressed chalk paint suggestion, too. Thanks for sharing this again!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sharon – Thanks – I always enjoy coming up with ways to make something I see out in stores. With a trip to the crafts store for a few inexpensive and basic supplies, the paper towel holder was easy to make. :-) My youngest daughter has been using it in her kitchen since I made it.
Roselyne says
I love it! I might try it!
Diane it would be wonderful if there was the possibility of saving the brilliant ideas your admirers like! So it would be easy to find them again!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Roselyne – I am not sure I understand what you mean by saving. Are you thinking a way to a print out of the project, like a recipe card or a project index of some kind? Right now you can use the SEARCH bars on my site to find anything. Just type in what you are looking for and it should come up.
Let me know and I will look into adding it.
Lucia Bakova says
Fantastic idea! Hubby will be busy making it! ?
Felicita says
For months now I have been looking for a paper towel holder and I just found the one with your beautiful knockoff. Thank you so much for sharing. You did a wonderful job , I love it
Debra says
Yours is shook much better than the pottery barn one. Oh my I think I will try and make this today. Thanks for.the great tutorial!!!
Kylie says
I would purchase yours over the PB version for sure!! Great knock off!!
Melisa says
Where do you find a wooden fork with a round handle? I have looked all over and not found any, and don’t see any at ikea online (as I do not have an ikea near me). In fact I haven’t found any wooden forks at all. I would love to make this so any cheap sources for them would be most helpful.
Lyn says
Melisa,
Try factorydirectcraft.com for 12 inch wood spoons and forks.
Diane Henkler says
HI Lyn – I will have to check the site out. Having longer wooden spoons and forks would make the holder even easier to make. Thanks
Diane Henkler says
Hi Melisa – Did you see the reply from Lyn. You can find them at factorydirectcraft.com Here is the link: http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=12%22+wooden+spoon&submit.x=16&submit.y=13
betty says
Wonderful idea for christmas. My hubbie talked me into leaving the dowel 10 inches so you don’t have to go fishing for the hole every time you change towels.
Carla says
Yep I agree with everyone else. I like yours better.
Majority rules. LOL
Laurie says
I totally agree, yours is much better looking. Not only does PB’s fork look weird, but their base looks like they just used some scrap piece of wood without fine tuning it. I think I’m going to try making one myself. I found you on Knock Off Decor. Thanks for sharing.
Karen says
Your version is far cuter! I’m definitely changing out my boring marble holder for one of these! Thanks for the great project.
Katharine from Kat's Almost Purrfect World says
This is so clever and practical. Plus your daughter can have memories of cooking with you.
Suzanne says
I originally thought yours was the pottery barn one because I liked it better. Glad to see it was yours!
Barbara says
My vote is for your version, also. Great idea. Great job!
Patricia in Denver says
Judging from the comments I’ve read, you out did Pottery Barn, and I agree. Yours is much nicer. Thanks for the idea!
Margaret says
This looks fabulous, Diane! I actually like yours better than the one from Pottery Barn. I don’t use paper towels myself – I prefer reusable rags, but this would make a great housewarming gift for someone who does. Thanks so much for sharing. This is definitely a keeper idea!
Beth Coburn says
Totally agree with all the other comments, yours is much cuter than PB and I’m sure it cost you just a couple of dollars to make. You are quite amazing!
Crystelle says
WOW!
I had never seen the original at PB, but your s is TOTALLY adorable! I can’t imagine a cuter paper towel holder!
You are so amazing!
Thanks so much for showing us!
hugs x
Crystelle
Kathy says
I agree with the others, I like the one you did and what a great idea in time for the Holiday’s!!! A new gift idea!!
Paula D says
How clever, I love this for a tw0fer, one for them and one for me!
Madonna says
The others are correct, your knock-off is better. May I suggest Ikea for wooden spoons and forks. They are the cheapest I have seen anywhere.
Danielle says
I agree too! The PB fork is a little creepy. What a great personal gift:)
Diane Henkler says
Hi Danielle – the PB fork does kinda look like a pitch fork, right out of a Halloween movie. :)
momcounsel says
I like your version better too! The spoon in the Pottery Barn version looks plastic. Great DIY!
Kendra says
I actually like your version better!